The Democrats’ Jewish Question

More outlets are weighing in on the Virginia State Bar’s entirely self-created problems with its cancellation of a legal seminar in Jerusalem, for reasons that keeping shifting with each passing day. The RTD archly notes that “[a]pparently the TSA never searches or detains anyone trying to enter the U.S.”

I’m positive the VSB will get right on that.

But the VSB incident is just the latest in a series of moves that raise questions about what Virginia Democrats are up to regarding Israel and its supporters.

Earlier this year, we had the spectacle of House Democrats leaving the floor en masse — twice — rather than vote on a non-binding resolution in support of Israel:

Later, as the Israeli elections heated up, alongside the negotiations with Iran, Virginia’s congressional Democrats decided to get in on the action. Tim Kaine very publicly boycotted a speech by Israeli P.M. Benjamin Netanyahu. His excuse? It was a crass attempt on Netanyahu’s part to score points with the voters back home. That was rich, given Rep. Gerry Connolly’s lecturing Israeli voters that they had better not give that Netanyahu guy another term.

And let’s not forget Gov. McAuliffe, who uncharacteristically had little to say about the VSB flap. His office only noted that the Governor “…does not belong to the bar or work with it regularly.”

He may not always have that luxury, as he has promised to make a trip to Israel later this year. It will be difficult for him to do so because the VSB has, effectively, established a state travel ban to the nation.

Add all these up and what we see is a shift, in both rhetoric and action, among state Democrats. Not all of them, certainly. A few General Assembly Democrats criticized the VSB for its bewildering action. Most, however, are silent.

So what is the new calculus regarding Israel? Are all these moves merely a reflection of the White House line? Perhaps.If so, then Democrats have more message discipline than I ever imagined.

But it could also be a test. How far can they push against Israel, and by extension, the pro-Israel Jewish voters at home who have for so long been part of the Democratic base? I’m not sure. The only thing to do is to watch closely for more statements and actions. I expect more to come as the Iran deal gets debated in Congress.

In that way, the VSB provided a valuable service to politics watchers. They did get push-back from some Democrats, just as the White House has at the national level.

Who will be next?

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